Minister Hamzah Zainudin said his ministry was working closely with the police and actively tracking down syndicate leaders, who were the main reason why activities of fraud were rampant.

He said various strategies were being implemented by both parties in a more transparent and focused manner to ensure scratch and win scams could be eradicated.

He said this included the possibility of “legalising” scratch and win contests in the country, although the matter needed to be refined so that it could be acceptable to all parties.

“We have many strategies to help curb scratch and win fraud … taking an example from the UK (United Kingdom), they eventually legalised scratch and win (contests) as a way to curb such fraud. If it is well received, why not (it be applied in Malaysia), but I worry that it would become a polemic in the country.

“Therefore, I need to make prior engagements, in addition to looking at the best methods to ensure such fraud does not happen again,” he told reporters after attending a Hari Raya event at Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa) here, today.

He was commenting on scratch and win syndicates in the country that had recently become active again in deceiving the public, including conspiring with staff of financial institutions.

Earlier, Hamzah handed over four dialysis machines worth a total of RM200,000 to three cooperatives in the country which run dialysis centres, purchased through contributions under the Infaq Lil-Waqf Scheme spearheaded by Angakasa.

In another development, he urged the public to strengthen the existence of cooperatives in the country, especially in the retail and wholesale sectors.

He said with such support, goods in the market could be sold at reasonable prices.